Clutch mechanism.



J. E. (101111, JR. CLUTCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED KAY 17, 191 1.

1 1,01 1,426. Pat-Lenka 1m 12,1911.

./ j Z. I, Z.

wane/00cc v 1 2! Guam:

,COLUMBXA PLANOGRAPK c0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

pin 6.

JOHN E. GOHN, JR., OF WRIGI-ITSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLUTCH MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 17, 1911.

Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

Serial No. 627,797.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, JOHN E. GoHN, Jr., a citizen of the United States,residing at Wrightsville, in the county of York and State ofPennsylvania, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements inClutch Mechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to mechanism for operating the clutch of anautomobile or other machine; and it consists in the novel constructionand combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a clutch provided withoperating mecha nism according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan viewof the same, from below, and partially in section.

A is a driving shaft which revolves in suitable bearings I) carried by asupport or frame B; and C is a clutch mounted on the shaft A, andprovided with a slidable clutch member 0. These parts are of anyapproved construction, and they may be portions of an automobile orother machine.

D is a shaft journaled in bearings d on the frame, and arrangedcrosswise of'the shaft A; and E is a crank secured on one end of theshaft D and provided with a crank-pin e.

F is a rod operatively connected with the slidable clutch member 0 atone end, and having its other end pivoted on the crank G is a ratchettoothed wheel secured to the shaft D; and H is a toothed wheel mountedloosely on the shaft D adjacent to the ratchet toothed wheel G.

A spring-pressed pawl g is pivoted on a pin g which projects from thewheel H,

and this pawl engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel G.

I is a toothed rack which is slidable in guides i on the frame, andwhich gears into the toothed wheel H.

J is an operating lever pivoted at one end to the frame by a pin j, andhaving the rack pivoted to its middle part by a pin c". In an automobilethis lever J is preferably arranged in a substantially verticalposition, and it is provided with a foot-plate j at its upper end.

K is a retracting spring arranged between the lever and the frame, whichmoves the lever and rack in one direction.

When the parts are in the positions shown in the drawings, the clutchmembers are out of engagement with each other. When the foot lever ispressed forward for a full stroke the rack revolves the toothed wheel,and the pawl revolves the ratchet wheel, so that the crank isrevolvedhalf a revolution. This places the clutch members in engagement witheach other, and the spring retracts the lever upon the pressure of thefoot being removed, without alfectingthe position of the crank ordisengaging the clutch members. When the foot lever is pressed forward asecond time the ratchet toothed wheel and the crank are again revolvedfor half a revolution, and the slidable clutch member is retracted toits original position. The clutch is in this manner controlled by asingle foot lever, the consecutive strokes of which move its slidablemember into and out of engagement alternately with the clutch membersecured on the shaft, and in this manner the operator has both handsleft free for other purposes.

What I claim is:

1. The combination, with a clutch having a slidable clutch member, of ashaft provided with a crank, a connection between the said crank andclutch member, a ratchet toothed wheel secured on the said shaft, atoothed wheel mounted on the said shaft, a pawl pivoted to the toothedwheel and engaging with the said ratchet toothed wheel, a rack engagingwith the said toothed wheel, and means for sliding the said rack backand forth.

2. The combination, with a clutch having a slidable clutch member, of ashaft provided with a crank, a connection between the said crank andclutch member, a ratchet arranged substantially vertical and havingtoothed Wheel secured on the said shaft, a the said rack connected toits middle part. 10 toothed Wheel mounted on the said shaft, a Intestimony whereof I have affixed my pawl pivoted to the toothed Wheeland ensignature in the presence of two Witnesses. gaging with the saidratchet toothed Wheel, JOHN E. GOHN, J R.

a rack engaging With the said toothed Wheel Vitnesses: and arrangedabove it, and a spring-oper- CHARLES C. RITZ, ated foot-lever pivoted atits lower end and H. A. MAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

